Life-saving appliance.



A. C. RASMUSSEN. LIFE SAVING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 25. I915.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

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ARNOLD C. RASMUSSEN,

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LIFE- SAVING APPLIANCE.

1,167,930, Specification of le e Patent Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

Application filed September 25, 1915. Serial No. 52,558.

7 To all whom it may concern:

' sex, a citizen of the United States of Amerlca, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Life-Saving Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of life-'saving-appliance comprising a plurality of indiy'idual air cells integrally formed into a one-piece garment; to provide an improved construction of this kind which is lighter and less bulky than other forms of life preservers, whereby said device may be more conveniently put on and worn by persons for emergencies; and to provide a life-saving jacket of this kind which is capable of supporting a person on the surface of the water for an indefinite period, even when said person is in an unconscious state or unable to exert any physical effort. 7

An illustrative embodiment of this inven tion is shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich: 4

Figure 1 shows the jacket applied to a man, whose figure is indicated by dotted outline. Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional detail taken on the line AA of Fig. 1.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings, the garment comprises a plurality of individual permanently inflated air cells 3 which are formed by superimposing in a suitable mold two sheets of rubber, and vulcaniz'ing them-together into a single sheet 4. The vulcanizing is done in rings 5 within which the cells 3 are formed. The cells 3 are of substantially globular shape and are permanently infiated in a well known man- .'-11er at the time the sheets are vulcanized together.

The piece 4 is cut to fit around the arms of a person in the form of a jacket,

and is provided with shoulder straps 6 by means of which it is supported. The cells are arranged in rows around the jacket and I lengthwise thereof. Fastening means i, such as snaps, buttons, or buckles are provided for securin the breast flaps oi the acket together. 'fhis provides a life-saving garment which is comparatively light in weight and which, being in the-form of a jacket, can be quickly put on by a person 1n cases of emergency, or it may be worn in cases of possible danger without any material inconvenience. By having a plurality.

of separate cells of this kind permanently inflated, there is no attention required for inflating when the arment' is needed, and i one or more of the cells should become punctured, the utility of the garment is not destroyed.

One of the great advantages of a garment of this kind is that althou h light and compact, it provides suflicient uoyancv to support a body on the surface of the water even if the person is unconscious for a time and therefore unable to assist in keeping afloat. This is of particular advantage in cases where a person .is thrown into the water suddenly and either through the shock caused thereby, or by a blow in some way, is

rendered insensible.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as de fined by the following claim.

I claim 2- A, life-saving appliance, comprising a sheet of elastic material formed into a plurality of circular web portions bounding substantially globular air cells, all integrally connected together to form a jacket.

Signed at Chicago this 22d day of September 1915.

ARNOLD C. RASMUSSEN.

Copies of this patient may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

